There are so many incredible creatures that live in the ocean, including seahorses, like the one you’ll read about in your book. Do you think seahorses like mac n’ cheese? What about blue punch? I’d sure like to think so! Hope you enjoy these Under the Sea bites I prepared for you!

Follow the instructions on the powdered drink packet. Add drink mix and the rest of the ingredients listed on the packaging to a large pitcher. Stir with a large spoon until powdered drink mix has completely dissolved. Now, fill your glasses with the delicious, blue drink mix. Add a few Swedish Fish ® to your glass and watch the fish swim to the bottom. Don’t worry, they’re having fun swimming around in your glass!

Entree

Shells and Pearls Stovetop Mac n’ Cheese

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 20-25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup of crushed round crackers (4-6 crackers)

3 tablespoon of butter, divided

8 oz of dried shell pasta (GF option: GF pasta)

1/2 cup of frozen peas

1 tablespoon of flour (GF option: GF flour)

1 1/2 cups of whole milk

Salt

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

To make the cracker topping, add 1/2 tablespoon of butter to a frying pan over medium heat. When melted, add the crumbled crackers, stirring to coat. Toast until lightly browned. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water and then add the shell pasta. Boil the shells for a couple of minutes short of what is listed on the packaging.

While the shells are boiling (make sure to keep an eye on them!), it is time to start making the cheese mixture. Add two tablespoons of butter to a large pot and melt over medium heat. When the butter has melted and is bubbling slightly, add the flour and whisk until smooth. Let it cook for a minute or two, until it turns golden brown. Next, add the milk and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and bring to boil. Continue to whisk for 3-5 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat and add the shredded cheese. Stir with a whisk until smooth.

Now back to the shells. When the cheese mixture is complete, or when you're about a minute away from draining the pasta, add the peas (pearls) and allow them to cook for 30 seconds to a minute. Drain the shells and peas, and add them to the cheese mixture, gently stirring them together to coat.